3.7.CORE SKILL 6 – EXCAVATION AND CONFIRMATION
The deminer / searcher tasked with identifying EO using the techniques and procedures in previous sections should confirm to a degree if objects are benign or are suspected to be an IED component or other EO. Objects detected with visual search are unlikely to require any further ‘confirmation’. Subsurface objects that are detected by a sensor (metal, GPR, carbon rod, wire, etc.) will require location through excavation by the deminer / searcher to enable confirmation if they are a suspect item.
Image 1. A training lane for practising excavation
3.7.1. FUNDAMENTALS OF EXCAVATION FOR CONFIRMATION OF IED s AND EO
MA organisations should have SOPs that stipulate the techniques and procedures used to confirm if suspect signals represent an IED or one of its components. For subsurface indications these procedures are referred to as excavation. The following fundamentals should be remembered: EXCAVATION FUNDAMENTAL 1 – ESTABLISHING A START POINT • The signal’s centre mass should be pinpointed and delineated using the detector. The centre mass is then recorded to calculate distances to a start point, this can be achieved by using obvious visual reference points or physical markers that are placed on the ground.
ׁ WARNING. If delineation and distance markers are used, they should not penetrate the surface or impart any force that could activate a switch, especially if indicating the suspect signal’s centre mass.
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